Sunday’s Premieres:A&E: Extractors at 3pHallmark: Good Witch at 9pHGTV: Bungalow Reno at 12p, Lakefront Bargain Hunt at 8p and 8:30p

Sunday’s Finales:HBO: Vinyl at 9p, Girls at 10:30p

IN THE NEWS

Call it the little network that could: TV One grabbed exclusive cable rights to Fox hit Empire from Twentieth Television. The hip hop drama will debut this spring with marathons leading to the season two finale on Fox, then air weekly over the summer. Network president Brad Siegel made the announcement at TV One’s Upfront breakfast on Thursday.

Production on History military series Six, which was nearing the completion of two filmed episodes, has come to a halt with the abrupt exit of actor Joe Manganiello. His role is being recast and his scenes will be reshot. It marks the second time Manganiello was cast in a straight-to-series project, but pulled out – last spring, he left Fox‘s Scream Queens citing promotional obligations to Magic Mike XXL.

Bravo has renewed The Real Housewives of Potomac for a second season. Potomac ranks as the second most popular version in the franchise, behind Atlanta, averaging 2.1 million viewers in Live+3 during season one, Bravo’s most-watched freshman season since theBeverly Hillscrew in 2010.

USA Network unveiled a new “We the Bold” tagline on Thursday, meant to reflect the net’s evolved programming strategy. “From Mr. Robot to Colony to WWE, USA is actively taking big swings with programming that is more daring than ever before,” said Chris McCumber, president, entertainment networks, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. “’We The Bold’ reflects the kind of stories we want to tell rich, captivating stories about unlikely heroes who defy the status quo, push boundaries and are willing to risk everything for what they believe in.” Brand positioning will be reflected across programming genres, formats and platforms.

Tanya Saracho (How To Get Away With Murder) has been named showrunner for Pour Vida, a news series in development at Starz about twin sisters who inherit an East LA building and open a wine and tapas bar. “We are delighted Tanya will be joining this series to bring an authentic voice to these second-generation characters,” said Carmi Zlotnik, managing director for Starz. “Tanya has the credibility, experience and talent to truly capture the essence of Latino characters in her writing.”

TNT and M. Night Shyamalan are ramping up the network’s new horror block. TNT has officially greenlit an initial 10-episode order of a Tales from the Crypt anthology series, based on the original EC Comics and guided by a reinvented Crypt Keeper. In addition, TNT has given a pilot order to Time of Death (wt) from IM Global Television, as well as begun development on Creatures fromNaegle Ink. The block is set to launch in 2017.

Spike TV has greenlit The Mist, an original scripted series from TWC-Dimension Television based on the Stephen King novel. The network has ordered 10 one-hour episodes that goes into production this summer for debut in 2017.

Brett Ratner and James Packer‘s RatPac Entertainmenthas acquired the rights to Melanie Benjamin’s historical novel, The Swans Of Fifth Avenue for adaptation as a premium cable limited series. Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World) will star in the project.

Michael Brandt and Derek Haas, who wrote the pilot script for Chicago Fire, have inked a new multi-year show deal with Universal Television.Under the pact’s terms, Brandt and Haas will continue to executive produce Chicago Fire and spinoffs Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med as well as board legal drama pilot Chicago Justice as EPs.

Universal Cable Productions has closed an overall deal with showrunner Terry Matalas (12 Monkeys). Matalas will develop and produce scripted programming with UCP for the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment portfolio as well as for external networks and streaming services. “Terry is a great writer and he’s everything you want in a showrunner. He loves big ideas, writes amazing characters and always surprises us where he takes them,” said Dawn Olmstead, EVP, Development at UCP.

Hulu will be the exclusive streaming home to Freakish, a 10-episode horror series created under the AwesomenessTV banner. The series centers on a group of students at a small-town high school, who must fight for survival when predatory mutant freaks take over after a meltdown at the local chemical plant. Production is currently underway with a premiere set for later this year.

UPFRONTS UPDATES

“Defy expectations” is the mantra at TV One, said network president Brad Siegel at Thursday’s Upfront breakfast at the Helen Mills Event Space. Launched in 2004 and available in 57 million households, TV One’s strategy is to deliver on its brand promise to REPRESENT, with programming that show the best of Black culture and entertainment.

“By expanding our programming genres and archetypes that represent the black community, we offer advertisers the opportunity to be seen in an environment that is both positive and unique,” said Siegel, who announced a 26-movie slate and plans to air an original movie each week for 14 straight weeks during summer 2017. “TV One provides both tent pole programming and continuity,” said Siegel.

New programming includes a dive into the network’s first scripted drama, “a logical and necessary next step,” said D’Angela Proctor, SVP, original programming and production. “In the curation of drama projects, we are hyper-focused on story first and provocative characters in a culturally relevant and non-derivative world.We are committed to making sure that the project will be a must see, can’t wait, buzz, and chatter-worthy drama.”

New reality series include Sneaker Pawn, about a 17-year-old’s footwear business, and Family Bond, focused on a family-owned bail bonding company.Hidden camera The Dating Game (dubbed a “mix of The People’s Couch and Love Connection”) drew appreciative laughs from advertisers. And true crime lovers will be able to get their fix with newcomers #Murder, For My Woman, Thou Shalt Not and Evidence of Innocence (related note: the breakfast pizzas were to die for).

COMING UP

American Heroes Channel presents the network’s first-ever Heroes Week, honoring real-life heroes who went above and beyond to protect and serve the United States. The four-night programming event kicks off Monday, April 18 at 8p and includes a special airing of Marlon Brando classic film On the Waterfront and encore presentations of AHC’s Against the Odds, America: Facts vs. Fiction, Inside the Killbox, Ultimate Warfare and Apocalypse WWI.

Antenna TV celebrates the joys and struggles of moms everywhere with a Family Ties marathon on Mother’s Day. The 17-hour stunt starts at 5a on Sunday, May 8.

VH1 shines the spotlight on the most important women in the world mothers with Dear Mama on Sunday, May 8 at 9p. Hosted by Anthony Anderson (black-ish), the one-hour special will feature celebrity guests Queen Latifah and Trey, Jaden and Willow Smith, who will pay tribute to Jada Pinkett-Smith.

TV One‘s News One Now airs News One Now Special: Kerry Washington Revealed on Sunday, April 17 at 10p. The Scandal star opens up about playing Anita Hill on HBO‘s upcoming Confirmation, as well as sharing her thoughts on race, sexism in the Civil Rights movement and Black Hollywood.

Showtime premieres The Drew, depicting the history of a pro-am basketball league in the heart of South Central Los Angeles, on Friday, April 29 at 8 p.

Kathy Bates takes CBS Sunday Morning’s Lee Cowan for a visit to her doctor as she battles Lymphedema, a debilitating and potentially disfiguring disease, stemming from her breast cancer surgery in 2012. The disease is the result of doctors removing 19 lymph nodes during Bates’ double mastectomy. “I didn’t know what I was saying yes to and the more I learn about it, the more angry I am,” says Bates. “I feel I have to do something about it. If I can use my celebrity for something real, then that’s what I want to do.” Bates’ interview airs Sunday, April 17 at 9a.

RETURNING SERIES

TV Land comedies The Jim Gaffigan Show and Impastor are headed back for their sophomore seasons. Gaffigan premieres with back-to-back episodes on Sunday, June 19 at 10p, while Impastor bows Sunday, June 26 at 10:30p.

CASTING

Rafael de la Fuente (Empire) has landed a role in When We Rise. The ABC mini-series is slated to debut in 2017.

Jonathan Tucker and Crispin Glover have joined the cast of Starz‘ American Gods. The series, which follows a war brewing between old and new gods, begins shooting next week.

ADVERTISING

On Thursday, NBC Universal announced it will offer “select advertisers” at its annual upfront market guarantees that their spots will reach more narrowly targeted audiences. The new offering from NBCU’s Audience Targeting Platform, called ATP 2.0, will use data from multiple sources to measure its success in fulfilling its guarantees. Sources include information gathered from Comcast set top boxes, Fandango movie ticket service, GolfNow, and “anonymized first and third-party consumer data.” The company offers free make-good ads if it falls short of its targets. “ATP 2.0 represents another profound advancement in how we measure and target audiences more accurately,” said Mike Rosen, EVP of advertising sales, news and Hispanic groups.

Dave Morgan, CEO and president of Litton Entertainment, and Amy Carney, president of advertiser sales and research for Sony Pictures Television have announced that SPT will serve as the exclusive advertising sales representative for Litton’s new three-hour block of educational and informational programming Go Time!. Premiering in Fall 2016, Go Time!will feature a slate of programming aimed at inspiring young people and their families to be active, make healthy choices, and get involved with their communities in a positive manner.

GLOBAL GOINGS ON

Comedy Central Latin America and TV Azteca have partnered to produce a Latin American adaptation of Lip Sync Battle, bringing the total number of locally adapted formats of the series to 12 with format sales in over 30 territories. Lip Sync Mexico will be similar to the US version of the show, but will feature three celebrities per battle instead of two.

Two new countries have said “I do” to Armoza Formats’ Marry Me Now. The docuseries has been acquired in South Africa by Media 24‘s Via TV and by French Belgian production company Butterfish Group.

ABC‘s The View drew its largest overall audience in 7 weeks and 3rd most-watched week of the season for the week of April 4, based on Live+SD data from Nielsen. The show averaged 2.96 million Total Viewers, 548,000 W25-54 and 418,000 W18-49, outperforming CBS‘ The Talk (2.8 million, 534,000 and 390,000, respectively).

Science Channel’s Impossible Engineering scored a series high rating among both Persons 25-54 and M25-54 on Wednesday, April 6 at 9p in Live+3. The episode was also up 29 percent in P25-54 and up 35 percent in M25-54 versus the series’ season to date averages.

Late Night Shows Weekly Average Ratingsweek of April 4, 2016NBC: Late Night, 1.48 million total viewers and 0.44/3 A18-49
ABC: Nightline, 1.30 million total viewers and 0.30/2 A18-49
CBS: Late Late Show, 1.21 million total viewers and 0.31/2 A18-49Source: Nielsen NTI

Sunday Morning News Shows April 10, 2016CBS: Face the Nation 3.73 million total viewers; 0.7 and 889,000 A25-54
NBC: Meet the Press 3.33 million total viewers; 0.8 and 981,000 A25-54
ABC: This Week 3.07 million total viewers; 0.7 and 840,000 A25-54
CBS: Face the Nation-2 2.48 million total viewers; 0.5 and 554,000 A25-54
FOX: News Sunday 1.62 million total viewers; 0.4 and 501,000 A25-54Source: Nielsen NTI

Broadcast Morning News Shows Weekly Average Ratingsweek of April 4, 2016ABC: GMA 4.80 million total viewers; 1.3/11 and 1.60 million A25-53
NBC: Today 4.65 million total viewers; 1.5/12 and 1.83 million A25-53
CBS: This Morning 3.71 million total viewers; 0.9/7 and 1.05 million A25-53Source: Nielsen NTI

Wednesday A18-49 Analysis:FOX led with the most A18-49 viewers Wednesday with 2.5/8, according to final primetime national ratings from Nielsen. CBS’s Survivor topped 8p with 1.9/7, followed by ABC’s The Middle and The Goldbergs ,which averaged 1.8/7. Fox’s Empire took over the top spot at 9p with 3.8/12, versus a 1.9/6 average for ABC’s Modern Family and black-ish. CBS’s Criminal Minds: Beyond the Borders led at 10p with 1.5/5. ABC’s Nashville and Telemundo’s El Senor de los Cielos tied for second with 0.9/3,

James Elden has been named President and Chief Revenue Officer of Nylon. He was previously Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Entertainment at Federated Media.

Scripps Networks Interactive has elevated Derek Chang to the new international leadership position of Head of International Lifestyle Channels. Chang is currently Managing Director, Asia-Pacific Scripps Networks Interactive. He will relocate to London in July.

Go Go Luckey Entertainment has promoted four key executives. Bill Castonzo, formerly Vice President of Development, is now Senior Vice President of Development. Frank Prather, who last served as Vice President of Talent Development and Casting, is now Vice President of Development. Breonna Carrera, who worked as Development Manager, is now Director of Development and Dan Matthias, formerly Development Coordinator, is now Manager of Development.

Friday Fun Fact: The word “checkmate” in chess comes from the Persian phrase “Shah Mat,” which means the king is dead.

This Day in History: 2004 – Bill Rancic became the first contestant to win NBC’s The Apprentice and hear the words, “You’re hired” by Donald Trump.

NEW!Friday Switcheroo (the first name of one character and last name of another played by one actor/actress): Selina Benes=Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Kudos to: Randy Ingram-WBTW-TV/Myrtle Beach, SC; Keith Marder-Halstead Property/NYC; Elizabeth Landau-MTV, NYC.

Today’s Trivia Question: Which poet did Ted Mosby often quote on How I Met Your Mother? (2005-2014)?(Email trivia@cynopsis.comwith your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone.).

JOB OPENING:COORDINATOR/BRaVe Ventures/NYC: creative, energetic & motivated team member to support executive leadership across day to day business ops, actively contribute to our social community, & provide support across business lines. BA deg & 1yr work exp. Full info/apply HERE (4/21)

EXPERT SERVICES ADS:These ads are for companies or people who offer an expertise in the field of media by way of production, voice over artistry, writing, set development, etc. For information on rates and specs for posting an Expertise Service ad email Trish atTrish@cynopsis.com

INTERNSHIPS – These positions are for credit only – nobody gets paid here. These ads are always posted for free, and students work for school credit only. For more information on the specs for posting an Internship ad, email Trish attrish@cynopsis.com.

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: We Got Next Productions looking for interns in NYC. Flexible start end dates. Interns interested in learning all aspects of the Film Industry. Our 1st film has been acquired by iTunes and we are going into development on a series of new projects. Resumes HERE (4/20)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED… There is no charge for placing your Situation Wanted ad… for more information contact Trish Pihonak attrish@cynopsis.com

E-mail Trish@cynopsis.com or call Trish Pihonak at 203-899-8459 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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